Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra claimed rejoining should be a ‘long-term objective’ for the whole country, but that membership was in the interests of the whole United Kingdom
Michael Marra called for Britain to rejoin the EU(Image: Lesley Martin/PA Wire)
The Scottish Labour leader has called for the UK to rejoin the European Union – piling pressure on Andy Burnham ahead of crunch talks with the bloc.
Michael Marra claimed rejoining should be a “long-term objective” for the whole country, but that membership was in the interests of the whole United Kingdom.
His intervention comes as Downing Street claimed securing a better deal with the EU next week could be a “significant prize” for Britain.
Speaking in in Edinburgh on Tuesday, Mr Marra said: “The UK should rejoin the European Union and Scottish Labour will work to make that happen.
“I don’t pretend it will happen quickly. But I believe we should set it as a long-term objective for the UK and that Scotland should lead the change in making that happen.
“Rejoining the EU is not the current policy of the UK Labour Party and not the current policy of the UK Government. The UK Labour Party isn’t there yet. This is a distinct Scottish Labour position.”
The PM will travel to Brussels next week where he is expected to sign a series of deals with the EU. The areas currently being discussed would see an end to the red tape caused by Brexit checks on products such as sausages, flowers, and leather goods. A 200-page draft deal on removing checks on food and agriculture exports has been handed to EU nations, which the government believes could add up to £5.1billion a year to the economy.
The PM previously expressed hopes of rejoining the EU in his lifetime, and said he wants an “honest discussion” about the possibility of a return to free movement.
Last weekend Mr Burnham said the deals agreed with the EU are not the “end of our ambition”, raising speculation he hopes to see Britain rejoin.
However, on Sunday saw Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy claimed she wasn’t sure if the EU would welcome the UK back, and several ministers are understood to oppose rejoining.
Meeting with his cabinet to discuss the talks, Mr Burnham claimed the Tories’ deal had not been good for the UK, and a better agreement could be a “prize” for the whole country.
A Downing Street readout said: “Turning to the UK-EU summit, the Prime Minister said that no sensible person thought the Brexit deal negotiated by the Conservatives was working for the country. He argued there could be a significant prize next week if we successfully secure practical agreements that make the country better off.
“Ministers said the government would put Britain’s interests first by taking opportunities next week that cut red tape on businesses and ease prices for consumers.”
